like a lunatic.
JAYSON-Why didn't you make him come in?
RICHARD-Make him! It's easy to say. He's in a queer state, Dad, I can tell you! There's something torturing him besides her pain-
JAYSON-[After a pause.]Yes, there's a lot in all this we don't know about.
RICHARD-I suppose the reason he's so down on the family is because we've rather cut her since that tea affair.
JAYSON-He shouldn't blame us. She acted abominably and has certainly caused enough talk since then-always about with Bigelow-
RICHARD-[With a sardonic laugh.]And yet he keeps asking everyone to send for Bigelow-says he wants to talk to him-not us. WE can't understand![He laughs bitterly.]
JAYSON-I'm afraid Curt knows we understand too much.[Agitatedly.] But why does he want Bigelow, in God's name? In his present state-with the suspicions he must have-there's liable to be a frightful scene.
RICHARD-Don't be afraid of a scene.[With pitying scorn.] The hell of it is he seems to regard Bigelow as his best friend. Damned if I can make it out.
JAYSON-I gave orders that they were always to tell Curt Bigelow was out of town and couldn't be reached.[With a sigh.] What a frightful situation for all of us! [After a pause.] It may sound cruel of me-but-I can't help wishing for all our sakes that this child will never-
RICHARD-Yes, Dad, I know what you're thinking. It would be the best thing for it, too-although I hate myself for saying it.[There is a pause. Then the door in rear is opened and LILY appears. She is pale and agitated. Leaving the door open behind her she comes forward and flings herself on the lounge.]
JAYSON-[Anxiously.]Well?
LILY-[Irritably, getting up and switching on the lights.]Isn't everything gloomy enough?[Sits down.] I couldn't bear it upstairs one second longer. Esther and Emily are coming down, too. It's too much for them-and they've had personal experience. [Trying to mask her agitation by a pretense at flippancy.] I hereby become a life-member of the birth-control league. Let's let humanity cease- if God can't manage its continuance any better than that!
RICHARD-[Seriously.]Second the motion.
JAYSON-[Peevishly.]You're young idiots. Keep your blasphemous nonsense to yourself, Lily!
LILY-[Jumping up and stamping her foot-hysterically.]I can't stand it. Take me home, Dick, won't you? We're doing no good waiting here. I'll have a fit-or something-if I stay.
RICHARD-[Glad of the excuse to go himself-briskly.]That's how I feel. I'll drive you home. Come along.[ESTHER and EMILY enter, followed by JOHN.]
LILY-[Excitedly.]I'll never marry or have a child! Never, never! I'll go into Mark's office to-morrow and make myself independent of marriage.
ESTHER-Sssh! Lily! Don't you know you're shouting? And what silly talk!
LILY-I'll show you whether it's silly! I'll-
RICHARD-[Impatiently.]Are you coming or not?
LILY-[Quickly.]Yes-wait-here I am.[She pushes past the others and follows RICHARD out rear. ESTHER and EMILY sit on couch-JOHN on chair, right rear.]
ESTHER-[With a sigh.]I thought I went through something when mine were born-but this is too awful.
EMILY-And, according to John, Curt actually says he hates it! Isn't that terrible? [After a pause-meaningly.] It's almost as if her suffering was a punishment, don't you think?
ESTHER-If it is, she's being punished enough, Heaven knows. It can't go on this way much longer or something dreadful will happen.
EMILY-Do you think the baby-
ESTHER-I don't know. I shouldn't say it but perhaps it would be better if-
EMILY-That's what I think.
ESTHER-Oh, I wish I didn't have such evil suspicions-but the way Curt goes on-how can you help feeling there's something wrong?
JAYSON-[Suddenly.]How is Curt?
EMILY-John just came in from the garden.[Turning around to whereJOHN is dozing in his chair-sharply.] John! Well I never! If he isn't falling asleep! John![He jerks up his head and stares at her, blinking stupidly. She continues irritably.] A nice time to pick out for a nap, I must say.
JOHN-[Surlily.]Don't forget I have to be at the bank in the morning.
